Stake out these top 6 Central Texas campgrounds for your next spring road trip

No Sleeping Bag Required

Photo courtesy of RVshare

May is a prime road trip month, one in which you'll want to take advantage of the warm spring weather in Texas — before it turns sizzling — with a fun camping adventure.

If you need a snazzy mode of transport to complete your experience — or just don't fancy going without a bed, private bathroom, and kitchen — RVshare has you covered with an endless (over 100,000!) list of luxe RVs in a wide range of styles, amenities, and sizes to take on your trip.

And with their handy delivery service, they’ll drive your perfect RV selection to your destination and set the whole thing up.

Let RVshare do the hard work to allow you more time to enjoy one of these splendid Central Texas camp spots:

Dios Rios Hill Country RV Park in Mason
Fulfill all your water activity dreams at “the finest RV park in Central Texas.” Dios Rios is located at the junction of the James and Llano Rivers, making it the perfect place for kayaking, tubing, paddle-boarding, and fishing.

Traveling with your dog? Not a problem — the park is very pet friendly and has spacious RV sites for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy. With hundreds of four and five-star reviews, Dios Rios RV Park truly is a Texas classic.

Oak Forest RV Resort in Austin
This tucked-away resort is just a 10-minute escape east from downtown Austin. Oak Forest boasts 78 premium RV sites out of a total 289 around the resort.

They also offer plenty of amenities to guests, such as free WiFi and cable TV with over 70 channels, a fitness center, playground, resort-style swimming pool and hot tub, dog parks, and a propane station. Find some relaxation at this hidden gem of a resort.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Canyon Lake
If putting the kids first is your main goal for a spring vacation, this Canyon Lake park is the place to be. Yogi Bear’s Hill Country Park has several RV site options: You can stay closer to the action or find a more secluded home base among the trees.

One of the best ways to maximize your family fun is with the events calendar, which gives everyone a chance to find their favorite daily activity.

Lazy L&L Campground in New Braunfels
This laidback campground, which was recently ranked one of the best Texas campsites for weekend getaways, is a scenic paradise with a beautiful river frontage across 25 acres. Their RV sites are located on a mile of shaded riverfront land, making your temporary backyard an aquatic oasis for fishing, tubing, rafting, or kayaking.

All of L&L’s RV sites include a picnic table, fire ring, and a barbecue grill, so you won’t be cramped while trying to eat a home-cooked meal.

Al’s Hideaway in Pipe Creek
Al’s Hideaway is a family-built, owned, and operated 20-acre campground located 15 minutes away from fellow Hill Country towns Bandera and Boerne, outside of San Antonio. A majority of the land has been left in its natural state, making this a haven for all Texas wildlife.

Their RV spaces are “thoughtfully laid out” to allow guests the maximum amount of space and privacy. Word is that the activities in the area are endless, with opportunities for visiting wineries, breweries, distilleries, caves, museums, and more.

By the River Campground in Kerrville
65 acres of peace and quiet are right at your fingertips with this Kerrville campground along the Guadalupe River. Hike one of their trails, birdwatch, or simply bask in the presence of the calming river water while escaping from your busy work life.

By the River offers golf cart, kayak, and stand-up paddle board rentals for all your exploration needs.

Founded in 2013, RVshare is the largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace and can help you secure everything from a travel trailer to a luxury motorhome, all backed with extraordinary customer service from the RVshare team. Renters get payment and fraud protection, plus 24/7 emergency roadside service and even free delivery where available. Pets are welcome in specified vehicles. To rent an RV for your next glamping trip, click here.

Photo courtesy of Lawn Love.

Texas relaxes into 3rd place in new ranking of best states for camping

IT'S CAMPING SEASON BABY

With the winter season behind us, we can finally enjoy the pleasantly warm spring and all the joy it brings, especially camping under the wide open Texas sky. Before you plan your next trip, it might be useful to learn that the Lone Star State recently ranked third in Lawn Love’s 2023 report for Best States for Camping.

Lawn Love compared every U.S. state based on 25 unique metrics, including campsite access, acreage, safety, affordability, and more.

Texas’ third place ranking was determined based on its high scores in several major categories. We have the second highest number of campgrounds, campsites with water, and camping supply stores.

In two other top five category rankings, for the total acreage of campgrounds and average income-adjusted RV rental cost, Texas ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. The state ranked just outside the top five at No. 6 for total acreage of state and national parks.

Beating Texas for the best and second best states for camping were California and Washington, which have the most attractions and highest acreage of national and state parks. This is California’s second year in a row as the top state in Lawn Love’s report. Rounding out the top five after Texas is Florida (No. 4) and New York (No. 5).

Guy deBrun, a camping enthusiast and lecturer at James Madison University, shared his top three tips for staying safe while camping overnight in the wild:

Allow yourself enough time for traveling: “Create a time control plan that considers the distance you need to travel, and add one mile for every thousand feet of elevation you need to gain. Divide that by your average rate of travel (usually two miles per hour on a trail with a pack).”
Dress in appropriate clothing: “Cotton clothing should be avoided in all but very hot and dry climates. It robs the body of heat because it does not wick moisture and dries slowly.”
Use good judgment: “Know your limits, plan your route, and communicate your plans with someone at home.”

The lecturer also recommended every camper have a way to purify their drinking water, such as a chemical treatment or filter, when they embark on their trip.

More information about Lawn Love’s report and its methodology can be found at lawnlove.com.

Photo courtesy of Campspot

Connect with nature at these 4 Texas campsites named the best in America

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

April's sunny, warm weather is here, and if you're looking for an outdoorsy spring vacation experience, one of these four Texas sites named among Campspot's Best Campgrounds in America should be on your itinerary.

Campspot is an online marketplace and booking website for private campsites; they used 70,000 data points across 12 categories, including community reviews and family-friendly amenities, to determine their rankings.

In the category for Best Campgrounds for National Park Lovers, two Port Aransas resorts came in at the top: Aloha Beach RV Resort was ranked No. 1 and Tropic Island Resortcame in at No. 3. Both were ranked highly thanks to their proximity to local beaches and opportunities for outdoor activities, such as world-class fishing, birding, boating, golf, and more.

Champions Riverside Resort in Gainesville, Wisconsin split the Texas resorts in the ranking at No. 2, while Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf Course in Pine City, Minnesota (No. 4) and New Jersey’s Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: South Jersey rounded out the top five.

In the Best Campgrounds for Weekenders category, two Hill Country parks made the top five: Hidden Falls Adventure Parkin Marble Falls (No. 4) and Lazy L&L Campgroundin New Braunfels (No. 5). Hidden Falls is the perfect place for some off-road fun on its sprawling 2,000-acre property, while Lazy L&L is more along the scenic side with a beautiful river frontage across 25 acres.

Ranking above the two Texas sites are three California grounds: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort in Mt. Shasta City (No. 3), Casini Ranch Family Campground in Duncans Mills (No. 2), and Sun Outdoors Paso Robles (No. 1).

Campspot’s 10 best overall campgrounds in America don’t include any Texas destinations, but are still worth a gander for any out-of-state adventures:

No. 1 – Indian River RV Resort in Indian River, Minnesota
No. 2 – On the Saco Family Campground in Brownfield, Maine
No. 3 – The Nugget RV Resort in Saint Regis, Montana
No. 4 – Otahki Lake Cabins & Campground in Patterson, Missouri
No. 5 – Stonebridge RV Resort in Maggie Valley, North Carolina
No. 6 – Dark Sky RV Campground in Kanab, Utah
No. 7 – Pecan Park in Jacksonville, Florida
No. 8 – Kootenai River Campground in Troy, Montana
No. 9 – Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins & Campground in Folkston, Georgia
No. 10 – Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Memphis in Horn Lake, Mississippi

The full report can be found on campspot.com.

Photo courtesy of Old Settler's Music Festival

Four-day Americana festival rolls out the camping mats for 36th year near San Antonio

Settle in

Music festivals nearby are one of the best benefits of city living, but sometimes they could stand to be a bit more rural — even if they’re not country festivals. OId Settler’s Music Festival fills that niche without sacrificing relevance; the festival, taking place this year from April 20-23, brings in some of the best names in folk, Americana, and Southern traditions. As announced on January 25, this means 31 groups and solo artists across four days of camping and enjoying the outdoors in Dale, about an hour-and-a-half northeast of San Antonio.

Old Settler’s Homestead, a 145-acre ranchland, has been hosting this barn dance, so to speak, for 36 years. Over time, it’s succeeded in drawing some major talents, but stayed grounded. While the lineup will excite many yearly attendees and fans of similar artists, these approachable sounds are great for visitors new to the fray without pandering with crossover names.

Yola sounds like the American South but hails from the United Kingdom. The powerful singer is known for her emotional rawness over smooth instrumental arrangements, both leaning into genre conventions (country, soul, disco, and beyond) and floating stoically above them.
The Wood Brothers bring the poetry to the festival, and that’s saying something in such a lyric-heavy genre. The trio has stuck together for nearly two decades and been in the industry even longer, and the wisdom comes through the introspective acoustic-electric jams.
Shovels & Rope play with chemistry, abundant between Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, whose weathered, twangy voices bring a frankness to dramatic songwriting. This duo could play their own festival as moods and styles change from track to track.
Shinyribs is a warning from Austin to anyone who thinks folk music is always reserved. Frontman Kevin Russell, initially from Beaumont, is known for his performance antics — a force to be reckoned with, or otherwise, willingly swept up in.
Buffalo Nichols is turning the green venue blue with twangy slide guitar and a rich, nearly gravelly voice. The singer commanded a small, but dense crowd at his first year at Austin City Limits Festival in 2022, with a mellow tone amid the madness.
Matt the Electrician represents more country than many on the lineup, and has been active in the Austin music scene since 1998. His songwriting comes from cerebral origins, but sounds welcoming and promises easy listening as the festival rolls on.
Ley Line, also from Austin, is a standout for its comparatively exotic style. The four women sing in English, Portuguese, Swahili, and more, reminding fans in attendance — mostly seeking Americana — that the sphere of folk music extends far beyond our own borders.

In addition to the main attraction — the music — there will be food and artisan vendors, music workshops, and a youth talent competition. The camping, powered with renewable energy, sprawls around the active performance area, and the festival prides itself on the atmosphere away from the stages. Old Settler’s is a 501(c)(3) organization staffed by volunteers, so in addition to providing a good time, it aims to foster a lasting appreciation for Americana and the human connections available through it.

"This is one of the greatest festivals I've ever been a part of,” said Kevin Russell of Shinyribs in a press release. “In fact, I think of this as my home festival."

Tickets (starting at $35, kids under 12 free) to Old Settler’s Music Festival 2023, from April 20-23, are currently on sale at prekindle.com.

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San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From international flights to local delights, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe. Passengers can now book tickets for flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Germany's Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

2. Hot San Antonio hotel brings back popular live fire dinner series for fall. Executive chef Michael Collins will keep grilling on the patio at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails.

3. New honky-tonk surprisingly two-steps into St. Paul's Square. When Steve Mahoney first relaunched Francis Bogside and Anne’s, rumors circulated on how he would use the expansive upstairs space.

4. Nola breaks new ground and a Hill Country eatery heads to City Hall in San Antonio food news. This week's food news saw the expansion of a popular brunch spot, cookbook and website features, and more.

5. Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend. There's much to do this weekend, including beer festivals and a great standup set.

Hugely popular San Antonio restaurant Ladino celebrates first anniversary with Mediterranean party

Luck be Ladino

Although Ladino has only been a Pearl gem for one year, the mediterranean hotspot already feels like a San Antonio staple.

Helmed by executive chef Berty Richter and Emmer Hospitality, Ladino is slated to celebrate its first anniversary this Sunday with a festive party celebrating the restaurant's success as well as its future. Guests will enjoy a welcome beverage (and more cocktails for purchase), plus unlimited grilled meats, pita sandwiches, and other bites. DJ Zain will keep the energy up, while guests play yard games and kids get their faces painted.

Chef Richter tells CultureMap, '"In the world of restaurants and hospitality, we always strive to progress, keep learning, and improving."

When Ladino opened last September, it represented a promising branching out from its Austin-branched hospitality group parent, which had prior (and has since) earned acclaim from national publications for its cultural vibrancy — and deliciousness, of course.

In Ladino's case, the cultural touchstone is the Judeo-Spanish language of the same name that Chef Richter spoke growing up, which also included elements of Castellano, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, and Hebrew. Richter's Turkish mother inspired many parts of the restaurant's popular Mediterranean menu.

Despite a strong point of view, the restaurant does have something for everyone, and is very accommodating to patrons with dietary restrictions. Signature staples include the sourdough-based pita bread (which comes unlimited with the hummus dip), kibbeh nayeh with Wagyu tartare, shishbarak (lamb and pork dumplings), and saffron chicken. The Wagyu Denver steak is a consistent standout, with a perfect crispy edge surrounding the medium rare middle.

Chef Richter plans to keep the menu generally the same for now, with the ongoing tradition of rotating some dishes out based on seasonal availability.

"We are excited to continue exploring the cuisines and cultures that Ladino represents, while strengthening our relationships with local farmers, growers, producers, and the communities of San Antonio," says Richter.

Now open seven days a week, Ladino offers a happy hour on weekdays from 5-6:30 pm. Deals include six dollars off of the hummus dip and pita, $5 off of Ladino's signature cocktails and wines by the glass, and deals on other plates like babaganoush, a spicy Feta plate, and more. The happy hour specials are only available at the upstairs bar, which is easily accessible catty-corner to the main Ladino entrance at the Pearl.

Tickets ($40, $15 for kids) to the anniversary celebration on October 1, from 4-8 pm, are still available via Eventbrite. Regular reservations and to-go orders may be made at ladinosatx.com.

Botanical Garden's Lightscape mesmerizes with new exhibits and discount tickets

THAT OL' RAZZLE-DAZZLE

Call it the grown-up version of posing with Santa Claus. Since its dazzling debut in 2021, the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Lightscape has been the essential stop for holiday photoshoots. Planners are already working hard to ensure the annual tradition is more brilliant — and accessible — than ever.

Tickets are now on sale for the showstopping exhibition, running November 17 to January 1. The festivities will include familiar displays and brand-new illuminated works from global designers.

French creative studio Pitaya will return with a new installation, "Spark Ballet." The work features dozens of hanging lanterns glowing with firefly lights as a flickering guide around the lake. Visitors will also be treated to a pair of large-scale spectacles from UK outfit ArtAV, including an array of sparkling stars and a 40-foot-high LED tree.

Some of last year’s favorites will make an encore. The "Heart Arch Walk" allows guests to stroll under a tunnel of love while "Floraison" canopies explorers with brightly lit poppies. As always, the "Winter Cathedral" provides one last selfie spot.

The ever-popular "Bluebonnets" will also mesmerize sightseers, this time with an army of life-sized cowboy nutcrackers. The "Fire Garden" will have a new addition, too — the 25-foot dragon last seen in the blockbuster Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time exhibition.

Peak date tickets cost $28 for adults and $18 for children, with VIP packages and member discounts available. For the first time ever, the garden also offers Value Nights on select dates in November and December. Revelers can score tickets as low as $18 for adults and $10 for kids online.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Pixel tree makes an ideal selfie stop.

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